Erin Wooddell
Yesterday I realized I haven't posted to the blog in over three weeks. And that’s just unacceptable! Not that you’ve missed my random musings, but I need to do a better job of sticking to a schedule.
In my defense, I’ve been swamped with moving, unpacking, starting a new job and being social. After all that, there just hasn’t been enough time in my day.
But those are just excuses, I know.
To make up for being an absent blogger, I decided to tell you all the things I’m learning about my new state (Tennessee!) and why I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a second to sit down and write a post. (OK, that’s a total lie. I’ve had small bits of free time, but I’ve been devoting them to catching up on all my TV shows. I mean, have you all seen The Good Wife lately? The show is just killing—literally and figuratively.)
Yesterday I realized I haven't posted to the blog in over three weeks. And that’s just unacceptable! Not that you’ve missed my random musings, but I need to do a better job of sticking to a schedule.
In my defense, I’ve been swamped with moving, unpacking, starting a new job and being social. After all that, there just hasn’t been enough time in my day.
But those are just excuses, I know.
To make up for being an absent blogger, I decided to tell you all the things I’m learning about my new state (Tennessee!) and why I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a second to sit down and write a post. (OK, that’s a total lie. I’ve had small bits of free time, but I’ve been devoting them to catching up on all my TV shows. I mean, have you all seen The Good Wife lately? The show is just killing—literally and figuratively.)
Spring has Sprung
The weather here has been gorgeous since my arrival. I came at the perfect time to see all the trees flower and bloom. (And be greeted by insane allergies.) That means time spent walking around downtown, attending happy hours on patios and being outside without my laptop.
Spontaneous Friends
I’ve had maybe one free evening each week since moving here. And you know what? It’s fantastic! My apartment is missing me a little (as was evident by the cobweb resembling a tumbleweed I saw on the kitchen floor last night) but I don’t care. It's such a joy to go with the flow, where every last second doesn't have to be planned weeks in advance. Tonight, for example, I'm hosting Mexican dip night at my place. (You know you wish you were coming.)
The YMCA
Go ahead and laugh. I realize it sounds like a funny reason, but co-blogger Emily invited me to her favorite bi-weekly spin class at the Y. Talk about a great workout! It's also exhausting, so chances are I come home, walk on rubbery legs to my apartment and collapse for the rest of the night, neglecting the blog once again.
I've never lived in a town where the Y offers so much more than just providing a place to lift weights or swim indoors. They even offer classes to old folks! (We know this first-hand from attending a unique Zumba class, assuming it would target a specific area of the body, when in fact it's special name meant that it was for 'silver sneaker' members. And let me tell you what, those ladies over 70 mean business.)
Enjoying Work
This makes me sound like a bit of a nerd, but I’m liking my new job so much I’ve even been working on a few things at home and sometimes 5 p.m. takes me by surprise because I’m so engrossed in a project.
Options
It's unreal just how much there is to do here. There's the busy downtown area with shops, restaurants and a bustling outdoor community; suburb areas with major shopping opportunities and more good restaurants; and the outskirts of town are surrounded by country and wilderness.
All those reasons aside, I haven’t forgotten about you all and I genuinely feel awful that I haven’t taken the time to write anything. Ideas are bouncing around in my brain, so hopefully soon I can reel myself in and take a few moments to get back into the swing of blogging. (If it makes you feel any better, I also haven't had time to return a call to one of my grandmothers...For shame, right?)
The weather here has been gorgeous since my arrival. I came at the perfect time to see all the trees flower and bloom. (And be greeted by insane allergies.) That means time spent walking around downtown, attending happy hours on patios and being outside without my laptop.
Spontaneous Friends
I’ve had maybe one free evening each week since moving here. And you know what? It’s fantastic! My apartment is missing me a little (as was evident by the cobweb resembling a tumbleweed I saw on the kitchen floor last night) but I don’t care. It's such a joy to go with the flow, where every last second doesn't have to be planned weeks in advance. Tonight, for example, I'm hosting Mexican dip night at my place. (You know you wish you were coming.)
The YMCA
Go ahead and laugh. I realize it sounds like a funny reason, but co-blogger Emily invited me to her favorite bi-weekly spin class at the Y. Talk about a great workout! It's also exhausting, so chances are I come home, walk on rubbery legs to my apartment and collapse for the rest of the night, neglecting the blog once again.
I've never lived in a town where the Y offers so much more than just providing a place to lift weights or swim indoors. They even offer classes to old folks! (We know this first-hand from attending a unique Zumba class, assuming it would target a specific area of the body, when in fact it's special name meant that it was for 'silver sneaker' members. And let me tell you what, those ladies over 70 mean business.)
Enjoying Work
This makes me sound like a bit of a nerd, but I’m liking my new job so much I’ve even been working on a few things at home and sometimes 5 p.m. takes me by surprise because I’m so engrossed in a project.
Options
It's unreal just how much there is to do here. There's the busy downtown area with shops, restaurants and a bustling outdoor community; suburb areas with major shopping opportunities and more good restaurants; and the outskirts of town are surrounded by country and wilderness.
All those reasons aside, I haven’t forgotten about you all and I genuinely feel awful that I haven’t taken the time to write anything. Ideas are bouncing around in my brain, so hopefully soon I can reel myself in and take a few moments to get back into the swing of blogging. (If it makes you feel any better, I also haven't had time to return a call to one of my grandmothers...For shame, right?)
DID YOU KNOW?
Chattanooga is close to Georgia?
Like a hop, skip and a jump away. Or ten miles. (Same thing, right?) Atlanta is also pretty close, so trips to IKEA, the airport and fun shops will be happening in my future. Knoxville and Nashville are also extremely close and this past weekend I ventured to the Country Music capital for the first time.
People here are incredibly nice?
I’m talking everyone. Policemen, grocery store clerks, people walking their dogs. I’m used to the occasional smile from strangers, but not people genuinely reaching out to say hello or get to know me. Everyone I've come across has been incredibly welcoming. Looks like I’m finally in an area of the south that lives up to the ‘southern hospitality’ cliché. Like Mayberry, but on a much larger scale.
Chattanooga is close to Georgia?
Like a hop, skip and a jump away. Or ten miles. (Same thing, right?) Atlanta is also pretty close, so trips to IKEA, the airport and fun shops will be happening in my future. Knoxville and Nashville are also extremely close and this past weekend I ventured to the Country Music capital for the first time.
People here are incredibly nice?
I’m talking everyone. Policemen, grocery store clerks, people walking their dogs. I’m used to the occasional smile from strangers, but not people genuinely reaching out to say hello or get to know me. Everyone I've come across has been incredibly welcoming. Looks like I’m finally in an area of the south that lives up to the ‘southern hospitality’ cliché. Like Mayberry, but on a much larger scale.